Sedalia



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

A.'B. "MGCLURH' BUCKLE; No. 491,123. Patented Feb. 7, 1893.

WITNESSES: INVENTVOI? Tn': mums PD!!! 00 vucrpumou WASHINGTON, n. a.

UNITED STATES PATENT OF I E.

ALBERT E. MOCLURE, OF SEDALIA, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO MGCLURE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

BUCKLE.

SEEGIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 491,123, dated February '7, 1893.

Application filed April 4, 1892. Serial No. 427,769. (No model.)

' To all whom it may concern:

Y declare that the following is a full, clear, and

exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to that class of buckles in which tongues, teeth or the like for entering or engaging the fabric secured are dispensed with, and the object of my invention is to provide a simple and improved buckle of this character in which the fabric or material will be securely bound without injury or damage, which can be readily and conveniently operated, and which will possess advantages in point of inexpensiveness in construction, durability, and general efficiency.

To this end, my invention consists of certain improvements in' the construction, arrangement and operation of parts; substantially as hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claim.

In the drawings-Figure 1 is a perspective view of a buckle, embodying my invention, and illustrating its application. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the buckle detached. Fig. 4 is alongitudinal sectional view illustrating a modification in the coupling for the two links. Fig. 5 is a similar view of another modification showing the links coupled by a loop upon the band or strap. Fig. 6 is a similar view of another modification show ing the adaptation of the buckle for use as a suspender buckle. Fig. 7 is a similar View which illustrates a modification in the shape of one of the links to adapt the buckle as a fastener for the ends of shoe strings or other cords or ropes. Fig. 8 is a plan view thereof. Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of a double form of buckle. Fig. 10 is a transverse sectional view on the line 0c-w, Fig. 9.

Corresponding parts in the figures are denoted by the same letters of reference.-

Referring to the drawings, A designates the buckle, which comprises two links, a top link, B, and a bottom link, 0, which are of an endless-or continuous-form and of any desired general configuration or contour. These links are preferably of approximately corresponding form and may be constructed of wire and with the ends permanently secured togetheror left unsecured-, or they may be struck from sheet-metal'or formed from any suitable material. The links are'pivotally connected together at one end. This maybe done by a sleeve, D, inclosing the end members of the links or rings and of a 'sufficient size to permit independent longitudinal play of the respective links.

Coupled to the sleeve D is shown an attaching link, E, to which may be secured the end of the strap or other article by which the point where the end, 0, of the under link and thecross-bar I) come together. This outer projecting half-portion B of the upper link B forms a'free end by which the upper link may be readily raised to separate the bar I) from juncture with the outer end 0 of the under link, to enable the adjustment of the strap or cord. The links or rings C and B are of approximately corresponding shape, and the smaller under link 0 and the inner half portion of the larger upperlink B are preferably flat in shape and approximately parallel as shown in the drawings. I

The manner of using and the operation of i the buckle are as follows: It being assumed that the buckle is secured at the coupled ends of the links, the free end of the strap or band, S, is passed from the under side up through the respective links C and B, then down over the dividing cross-bar b of the link B, and finally again through the link C from its upper side. VVhenthus attached, it will be obvious that draft upon the body of the strap or band has a tendency to draw the front bar of the link 0 over the corresponding portion of the link B, and thus tightly bind the free end of the strap within the buckle. (See Fig. 2 of the drawings.) To tighten the strap or band, the free end of the latter is grasped and drawn upon, the relative working of the links permitting the feed of the strap or band. When it is desired to loosen the strap or band or detach the same from the buckle, the link 13 is elevated by means of the outer loop or portion B, such movement releasing the grip upon the strap or band, and permitting the latter to be drawn from the buckle, or the buckle from engagement with the strap or band.

The foregoing construction of buckle is adaptable to various uses, but to impart to the invention agreater field, various modifications or additions may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. I therefore reserve the right to all such changes as properly fall within the spirit and scope of my improvements and the terms of my claim.

In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated some of the modifications to which my invention is susceptible, and which I will now proceed to describe.

In Fig. 4 is shown a buckle of the same general structure as above described. In lieu, however, of the sleeve D, a loop, F, is employed for coupling the links together. In this instance the loop is passed around the adjoining ends of the links, and the free ends of the loop secured together by eyelets, rivets, or in any other suitable manner. Again, all separate couplings may be dispensed with, and the links coupled by forming a loop, G, in the end of a strap or band, as shown in Fig. 5. t I

When the buckle is employed as a suspender buckle, the sleeve D may be provided with a depending hook. The latter may be constructed of wire, as shown in Fig. 6, in

which event the hook, His formed at the center of the wire and the ends of the latter bent to form loops, h h, by means of which the links are coupled together.

For use as a fastener for shoe-strings or other cord, rope and the like, the dividing cross-bar of the link B is formed in a curved shape to provide a recess, (see Fig. 1) I, as shown in Figs. '7 and 8, the rear ends of both links being coupled together in the desired manner.

In all of the foregoing constructions, a single buckle is described and shown, but it will be obvious, that the invention may be arranged as a double buckle. In Figs. 9 and 10 I have illustrated such a form. For such a use, the links B and Oin lieu of being coupled at one end, are coupled at one or both sides. This may be accomplished by a cross-piece, J, provided at its ends with eyes, j j, encircling the respective side members of the links, or by a ring or rings correspondingly encircling one or both sides of the links.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent As an improved article of manufacture, a buckle comprising an under link or ring member, O, and an upper link or ring member, B, having a cross-bar, Z), and a portion projecting beyond said cross-bar and forming a free lifting end, the said membersB and C being pivotally connected so that the cross-bar of the outer member 13 comes adjacent to the outer end of the inner member 0 and operates in conjunction therewith; substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of witnesses.

ALBERT E. MOCLURE.

Witnesses:

WM. J. LITTELL, H. B. WRIGHT, A. J. WARREN. 

